192 Comments by zaz

Everyone who thinks this is such a great idea would be first in line screaming if some neighbor was getting ready to put a 32' structure in their yard. It is a "towering" eyesore and a detriment to property values. "
Dec 30, 09 5:08 PM

"...He was given a very high (the highest?) position in the building dept..." and promptly thought that flashing around his gold shield gave him some sort of pass. Very poor judgement from someone who's at a high level in municipal government, despite his being a "great guy". Hopefully the rest of the gang at EH town hall get the "zero tolerance" message."
Jan 26, 10 5:50 PM

I don't know Mr. Preiato personally and don't dispute the statements that he is a competent building inspector and swell guy. I am merely pointing out the fact that if someone is a senior level town employee out here they are and should be held to a strict standard when it comes to their public conduct. We will see how it turns out but although both parties may have overreacted, when the Police are on a scene it isn't a good judgement call to get into a tangle with them. And often (and no it isn't proven here) govt officials with "shields" consider themselves more "authoriative" than mere citizens. "
Jan 27, 10 5:49 PM

$26 million - incredible. And 2 consecutive years of massive property tax hikes. It will be very painful but its time to start cutting. Not with a scapel; not with a knife. It needs an ax."
Feb 10, 10 6:15 PM

and if this happens - mind you it is a sound concept - will the state 'transfer' any funding for the required resources? Or will the trustees / town enforcement / whomever immediately say "we require more funding and resources in order to fulfill our newly expanded, state mandated role." If this is going to happen the projected costs / savings should be detailed and agreed upon up front so that another unfunded layer of town govt isn't created."
Feb 26, 10 10:50 AM

Those are hefty increases at this point in time. And to call them "concessions"? Absurd. These are increases Wilkenson is basically saying everyone else will get, instead of freezing everything. The deficit is stagerring and if they don't move quickly on reducing payroll (and all of its related benefit costs) get ready for another whopping tax increase. Nickel-diming dock and garbage fees and the like will do nothing against that $30 million hole."
Mar 1, 10 10:43 AM

While an arbitrator can set salary increases (which can go either in the Town or the union's favor) the Town determines staffing levels, and that's something the PBA knows. I'm a fan of Wilkenson but I think the Town needed to take a firmer line with the PBA...no increases at all or a modest retroactive increase for the 2 prior years. There is no way now that any other unions will settle for less than what the PBA got, and I suspect that with the size of the deficit that will have to mean layoffs. Then again maybe that's what Bill has in mind?Lets hope so...because thats what it will take to begin making a dent in the deficit."
Mar 1, 10 9:46 PM

@ Board WatcherThe first sentence in the article states: "In an effort to SAVE THE STATE MONEY and EASE THE BURDEN ON UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDERFUNDED...AGENTS (emphasis added)...". So unless everything the state does is already replicated by the Trustees, which means by the staff, this is simply shifting the States administrative and field legwork to the town. And we should know what, if any, added resources that may require before we jump into it. So BW - maybe your new moniker should be "Gets Hysterical Without Bothering to Read and Comprehend"."
Mar 2, 10 11:27 PM

I'm not taking sides here, but there's a certain irony in the attorney preparing to argue that, essentially, NY state law doesn't (or shouldn't) apply to his clients, one of whom is a peace officer who swore an oath to uphold those very laws. "
Mar 4, 10 5:36 PM

Interesting.On the one hand you can reasonably expect to see a mother instinctively taking action to intercede to "protect" her child. On the other hand this is an experienced attorney who would instinctively know, as a councilwoman, what the implications would be of such action. I think the fact that the incident involving her actions (vs. her sons) occurred on her property will be key."
Mar 9, 10 7:53 PM

"... last year only about two or three cases went to Justice Court, and currently, his department is trying to bring charges against a masonry operating from Central Avenue in Amagansett..." With 6 or 7 full time staff? ... if they can't get meaningful results, such as by setting up 24/7 video monitoring, then the entire dept should be eliminated. Frankly it sounds like Mr. Schirrippa isn't interested in zoning enforcement, much less results, just in making lame excuses. Give it to the Buildings inspectors, they can issue zoning code violations, and they can't do a worse job than this gang."
Mar 17, 10 1:22 PM

In public service there is the (generally) accepted principal of disclosing non-govt. sources of income / outside employment (as well as political activities) in order to avoid the appearance of improprietary / conflict of interests. It is very simple and straight forward and it can be accomplished without jepordizing any officer's safety. We hold our public servants to a high standard of conduct; disclosure of outside sources of income is a basic and necessary step in demonstrating that standard is being met. And ALL public servants in the town should be held to the same disclosure requirements. "
Mar 19, 10 11:59 PM

Is the 'deal' with the operator really as simple as 5 years (with 2 or 3 to go) at the end of which popular can/will will force him out? I suspect that he would not enter into such a contract without renewal options that are his to exercise, and that the Towns will be powerless to stop any renewal simply because folks are 'mad as hell'. Does anyone know the facts?Vote with your feet."
Mar 29, 10 6:44 PM

Yes - there have been lots of meetings and forums (and work sessions are part of the regular business of running the Town) - and I commend Bill and the Board for that - but what you call a 'dog and pony show' and 'nothing more than a publicity stunt' is in fact (or would be) a single cohesive WRITTEN statement by the supervisor giving a point-by-point status and action plan on all of the major issues facing the town, chief among them the gigantic deficit, that grows every day and for which there is still no specific plan to address. Frankly, I (and others in the electorate) shouldn't have to cobble together the supervisors take on everything from scattered sound bites and Q & A's. It's been 3 months; he's settled in and had time to assess; it's EASY, and if the SH Supervisor can manage it, why can't he?"
Mar 29, 10 10:30 PM

Unfortunately "taking action" against Wankel would be baseless, since all indications are he has not breached his contract - he's simply upset some folks. We have no one to blame but the Town(s) for granting him a contract that left the terms of the restaurant lease up to him. Lets use our town attorneys for real work. "
Mar 30, 10 6:31 PM

Its progress, but still just a dent in the deficit. No, unfortunately, I don't have as much time as you do to devote to following all of the varied proposals and reports that contain all of this detailed information (nor, apparently, does The Press). And unless you're Bill or Len, please stop making excuses for them. "
Mar 30, 10 11:13 PM